Vertically separated pass through conveyor system and method in surface mount technology process equipment

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a modular system for manufacturing printed circuit boards. The system comprises a plurality of pieces of processing equipment including at least one assembly material applicator, and at least one electronic component placement machine, and a transport system configured to transport circuit boards from the at least one stencil printer to the at least one electronic component placement machine, the system including an upper track and a lower track disposed below the upper track.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/115,954, entitled “SMALL FOOTPRINTSTENCIL PRINTER CONCEPTS,” filed on Nov. 19, 2008, to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/144,651, entitled “SMALL FOOTPRINT STENCILPRINTER CONCEPTS,” filed on Jan. 14, 2009, to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/176,797, entitled “DYNAMIC PASS-THROUGH LANESIZING IN SURFACE-MOUNT TECHNOLOGY-SMT PROCESS EQUIPMENT,” filed on May8, 2009, to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/176,801, entitled“DEFECT REJECTION STATION IN SURFACE-MOUNT TECHNOLOGY SMT PROCESSEQUIPMENT,” filed on May 8, 2009, to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/176,803, entitled “ADJACENT PRINTER CONTROL IN SURFACE-MOUNTTECHNOLOGY-SMT PROCESS EQUIPMENT,” filed on May 8, 2009, to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/176,804, entitled “PRINTER CONTROLOF ADJACENT EQUIPMENT IN SURFACE-MOUNT TECHNOLOGY-SMT PROCESSEQUIPMENT,” filed on May 8, 2009, to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/176,810, entitled “VERTICALLY SEPARATED PASS-THROUGH CONVEYOR INSURFACE-MOUNT TECHNOLOGIES PROCESS EQUIPMENT,” filed on May 8, 2009, andto U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/176,813, entitled “LINECONTROL SYSTEM IN SURFACE-MOUNT TECHNOLOGY-SMT PROCESS EQUIPMENT,” filedon May 8, 2009, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed generally tosurface-mount technology (SMT), and more particularly to systems andmethods of applying materials to circuit boards for use in surface mounttechnology.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Stencil printers and other SMT material application systems typicallyhave a single conveyor track on which printed circuit boards may beintroduced into and removed from the printer. These conveyor tracks aredesigned to handle a particular size of circuit board. In order tohandle multiple sizes of circuit boards and/or increase the productionof the stencil printer, a stencil printer may be outfitted with twodifferent conveyor tracks, resulting in what is referred to as adual-lane implementation, which may include a front lane disposedadjacent a front of the stencil printer and a rear lane disposedadjacent a rear or back side of the stencil printer or having both lanescentered about the printer. In a Dual Lane/Dual Print implementation,both lanes could be active and evenly spaced within the printer. With adual-lane configuration, the two lanes are disposed along a commonplane, but typically fixed in the Y-direction with respect to a specificrail orientation (front fixed rail or rear fixed rail for each lane).Dynamic sizing of conveyor tracks to handle different sizes of circuitboards may not be feasible on some dual-lane implementations because onepractice is to use two printers in series and print one circuit board onthe front lane of one machine and another circuit board on the rear laneof the other machine. Because the print lanes typically use specificboard tooling, the lane size cannot easily be adjusted. This restrictionlimits pass through capacity of the system to the same size board or toa board size that is equal to or larger than the board being printed.

Stencil printers typically contain an individual personal computer or“PC” and the only standard level of communication to adjacent pieces ofequipment is through SMEMA. For example, a printed circuit boardfabrication line may include one or more pieces of equipment, such asstencil printers, dispensers, pick-and-place machines, reflow ovens,wave soldering machines and/or inspection machines. SMEMA is a simpleprotocol that is used during such printed circuit board fabricationlines, and, unfortunately, only indicates whether the printed circuitboard is ready (or not) for board transport and that the adjacentmachine is ready to receive the board or not.

Typically, process lines including stencil printers and placementmachines are operated by a pull system with the placement machinescontrolling the introduction of product into different pieces ofequipment in the production line. This is typically done in an attemptto maximize cycle time performance, primarily of the placementequipment. The production line is usually designed around the placementmachines. The placement machines are typically the more expensiveequipment in the production line, and so effort is made to keep themoperating at maximum capacity. Errors discovered in the printing processmay require manual intervention to rectify, which can impact the flow ofmaterials into the placement system, decreasing the utilization of theplacement system.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a method of processing electronic substrates. The methodcomprises loading a first electronic substrate onto an upper track of afirst stencil printer, raising the upper track of the first stencilprinter, bringing a lower track of the first stencil printer into aposition in which the lower track of the first stencil printer isaligned with an upper track of a second stencil printer, loading asecond electronic substrate on to the lower track of the first stencilprinter, and transporting the second electronic substrate to the uppertrack of the second stencil printer.

The method may further comprise loading a third electronic substrate onto the lower track of the first stencil printer and transporting thethird electronic substrate to an upper track of a third stencil printerand may further comprise removing the first electronic substrate bytransporting the first electronic substrate through lower tracks of thesecond and third stencil printers.

The method may further comprise loading a fourth electronic substrate onto the upper track of the first stencil printer, removing the secondelectronic substrate by transporting the second circuit board throughone of the lower track of the first stencil printer and the lower trackof the third stencil printer, loading a fifth electronic substrate on tothe upper track of the second stencil printer, removing the thirdelectronic substrate, loading a sixth electronic substrate on to theupper track of the third stencil printer, and removing the fourth, fifthand sixth electronic substrates.

Removing an electronic substrate may selectively comprise moving theelectronic substrate in a direction at an angle to a direction in whichthe electronic substrate was loaded. The method may further comprisetransporting the removed electronic substrate to at least one of anencapsulation station, an inspection station, and a bar code reader andmay further comprise reintroducing the removed electronic substrate intoone of the first, second, and third stencil printers directly afterbeing processed in the at least one of the encapsulation station, theinspection station, and the bar code reader.

Removing the first electronic substrate may comprise lowering the uppertrack of the first stencil printer to a position where the upper trackof the first stencil printer is aligned with lower tracks of the secondand third stencil printers.

The method may further comprise performing an inspection operationwithin at least one of the first stencil printer and the second stencilprinter on at least one of the first electronic substrate and the secondelectronic substrate.

The method may further comprise adjusting a transport width of the lowertrack of the first stencil printer. The adjustment of the transportwidth of the lower track of the first stencil printer may be performedin response to a signal from a controller. The controller may be coupledto at least one of the first, second, and the third stencil printers.

In accordance with some aspects of the method, the first electronicsubstrate may be loaded onto the upper track of the first stencilprinter in a different direction from which the second electronicsubstrate is loaded onto the lower track of the first stencil printer.

In accordance with some aspects of the method, at least one of the firstsubstrate is loaded onto the upper track of the first stencil printerand the second substrate is loaded onto the lower track of the firststencil printer in response to a signal from a controller. Thecontroller may receive information regarding at least one of anoperational status of at least one piece of equipment downstream of thefirst stencil printer and a demand for product. The controller, based onthe information, may make a decision to load an electronic substrateonto at least one of the upper track of the first stencil printer andthe lower track of the first stencil printer.

The method may further comprise loading a third electronic substrateonto a second upper track of the first stencil printer, raising thesecond upper track of the first stencil printer, bringing a second lowertrack of the first stencil printer into a position in which the secondlower track of the first stencil printer is aligned with an upper trackof a third stencil printer, loading a fourth electronic substrate on tothe second lower track of the first stencil printer, and transportingthe fourth electronic substrate to the upper track of the third stencilprinter.

The method may further comprise adjusting a transport width of thesecond lower track of the first stencil printer prior to loading thefourth electronic substrate on to the second lower track of the firststencil printer and may further comprise performing an inspectionoperation within at least one of the first stencil printer and thesecond stencil printer on the fourth electronic substrate.

The method may further comprise transporting the first electronicsubstrate to at least one of an encapsulation station, an inspectionstation, and a bar code reader prior to processing on the first stencilprinter.

The method may further comprise performing at least one of a dispenseand a direct write operation within at least one of the first stencilprinter and the second stencil printer on at least one of the firstelectronic substrate and the second electronic substrate.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure there isprovided an apparatus for depositing viscous material on an electronicsubstrate. The apparatus comprises a frame, an assembly materialapplicator coupled to the frame and configured to apply assemblymaterial to the electronic substrate, a substrate support assembly,coupled to the frame, configured to support and secure the electronicsubstrate in a material application position, and a transport system,coupled to the frame, to shuttle electronic substrates to and from thesubstrate support assembly, the transport system including an uppertrack and a lower track disposed below the upper track.

The apparatus may further comprise a controller configured to controlthe operation of the apparatus, said controller located external to theapparatus.

The frame may include a fixed frame member and a movable frame membercoupled to the fixed frame member. The movable frame member may bemovably secured to the fixed frame member by linear bearings. The framemay further include a mechanism to move the movable frame member withrespect to the fixed frame member.

In accordance with some aspects, the apparatus is configured as astencil printer and the assembly material comprises at least one of asolder paste and a conductive ink.

In accordance with some aspects, the assembly material comprises anencapsulent.

In accordance with some aspects, the apparatus is configured as a directwrite printer and the assembly material comprises at least one of asolder paste and a conductive ink.

In accordance with some aspects, the lower track is configured to beremoved from the apparatus without disrupting an operation of theassembly material applicator or disrupting an operation of the uppertrack. Removal of the lower track may provide an opening in theapparatus of a sufficient size so that an alternate transport system maybe coupled to the apparatus and assume a function of the lower track.

In accordance with some aspects, a transport width of at least one ofthe upper track and the lower track of the transport system of theapparatus is adjustable.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a system. The system comprises a piece of equipmentconfigured to perform an operation on an electronic substrate, asubstrate support assembly configured to support an electronic substratein a work position of a piece of equipment utilized in a surface mountmanufacturing process, the substrate support assembly including asupport configured to support and secure the electronic substrate in thework position, and a sub-system to shuttle electronic substrates to andfrom the support of the substrate support assembly, the sub-systemincluding an upper track and a lower track disposed below the uppertrack.

In accordance with some aspects of the system, a transport width of atleast one of the upper track and the lower track is adjustable. Thetransport width of at least one of the upper track and the lower trackmay be controlled by a controller associated with the system. Thecontroller may be located external to the system. The controller may belocated internal to the system.

In accordance with some aspects of the system, the lower track isconfigured to be removed from the system without disrupting an operationof the assembly material applicator or disrupting an operation of theupper track, wherein removal of the lower track provides an opening inthe system of a sufficient size so that an alternate transport systemmay be coupled to the apparatus and assume a function of the lowertrack.

The system may be configured as at least one of an inspection system anda placement system. The system may further comprise a second sub-systemconfigured to shuttle electronic substrates through the system.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a system. The system comprises a piece of equipmentconfigured to perform an operation on an electronic substrate, asubstrate support assembly configured to support an electronic substratein a work position of a piece of equipment utilized in a surface mountmanufacturing process, the substrate support assembly including asupport configured to support and secure the electronic substrate in thework position, and a sub-system configured to shuttle electronicsubstrates to and from the support of the substrate support assembly,the sub-system including an upper track and an opening in the system ofa sufficient size to allow transport of the electronic substrate throughthe system by passing through the opening.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided an apparatus for depositing viscous material on anelectronic substrate. The apparatus comprises a frame, an assemblymaterial applicator coupled to the frame and configured to applyassembly material to the electronic substrate, a substrate supportassembly, coupled to the frame, configured to support and secure theelectronic substrate in a work position, and a transport system, coupledto the frame, to shuttle electronic substrates to and from the substratesupport assembly, the transport system including a first track and asecond track, the first track being mounted on a first displacementmechanism and the second track being mounted on a second displacementmechanism configured to laterally move the second track relative to thefirst track, the second displacement mechanism configured to raise thefirst track relative to the second track.

In accordance with some aspects of the apparatus, the first displacementmechanism and the second displacement mechanism are configured toposition the first and second track at a same vertical level.

In accordance with some aspects of the apparatus, the transport systemis configured to move the first track and the second track from a firststate in which the first track is at a same vertical level as the secondtrack to a second state in which the first track is raised by the firstdisplacement mechanism and the second track is laterally moved by thesecond displacement mechanism to position the second track under thefirst track.

The apparatus may further comprise a cross conveyor configured to rotateat least one of the first track and the second track.

The apparatus may further comprise an interface for a modularcontroller. The apparatus may be configured to receive commands throughthe interface for the modular controller and to operate at least one ofat least a portion of the transport system, the substrate supportassembly, and the assembly material applicator in response to thereceived commands. The apparatus may be configured to transmit commandsfor controlling the operation of at least one other apparatus in a sameproduction line as the apparatus through the interface for the modularcontroller.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a system. The system comprises a piece of equipmentconfigured to perform an operation on an electronic substrate, asubstrate support assembly configured to support an electronic substratein a work position of a piece of equipment utilized in a surface mountmanufacturing process, the substrate support assembly including asupport configured to support and secure the electronic substrate in thework position, and a sub-system to shuttle electronic substrates to andfrom the support of the substrate support assembly, the sub-systemincluding a first track and a second track horizontally displaced fromthe first track, the first track mounted on a first displacementmechanism configured to horizontally displace the first track relativeto the second track.

In some aspects of the system, the second track is mounted on a seconddisplacement mechanism configured to raise the second track relative tothe first track. The first displacement system and the seconddisplacement system may be configured to position the first and secondtrack at a same vertical level, and horizontally displaced from oneanother.

In some aspects of the system, the sub-system is configured to move thefirst track and the second track from a first state in which the firsttrack is at a same vertical level as the second track to a second statein which the first track is raised by the first displacement mechanismand the second track is laterally moved by the second displacementmechanism to position the second track under the first track.

The system may further comprise a transport system configured to shuttleelectronic substrates to and from the substrate support assembly in afirst direction, the transport system including a mechanism configuredto rotate the electronic substrate and to deliver the electronicsubstrate to at least one of the first and the second track for movementin a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the firstdirection.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided an apparatus for depositing viscous material on anelectronic substrate. The apparatus comprises a frame, an assemblymaterial applicator coupled to the frame and configured to applyassembly material to the electronic substrate, a substrate supportassembly, coupled to the frame, configured to support and secure theelectronic substrate in a work position, and a transport system, coupledto the frame, configured to shuttle electronic substrates to and fromthe substrate support assembly in a first direction, the transportsystem including a mechanism configured to rotate the electronicsubstrate and to deliver the electronic substrate to a track formovement in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to thefirst direction.

In some aspects of the apparatus, the transport system comprises aconveyor mounted to an apparatus having a rotational axis of motion. Thetransport system may comprise two conveyors with a cross path, whereinthe two conveyors are positioned at different height and at an angle toone another. The transport system may be mounted on an apparatusconfigured to rotate the transport system and which is furtherconfigured to displace the transport system in a vertical direction. Thetransport system may be further configured to selectively transportelectronic substrates to a secondary parallel processing location withinthe machine.

In some aspects, the apparatus may further comprise a controllerconfigured to control the operation of the apparatus, said controllerlocated external to the apparatus.

In some aspects, the apparatus may further comprise an interface for amodular controller. The apparatus may be configured to receive commandsthrough the interface for the modular controller and to operate at leastone of at least a portion of the transport system, the substrate supportassembly, and the assembly material applicator in response to thereceived commands. The apparatus may be configured to transmit commandsfor controlling the operation of at least one other apparatus in a sameproduction line as the apparatus through the interface for the modularcontroller.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a modular printing system for printing viscous material onan electronic substrate. The modular printing system comprises a firststencil printer including a first frame, a first stencil coupled to thefirst frame, a first print head, coupled to the first frame andconfigured to deposit and print viscous material through the firststencil, a first substrate support assembly, coupled to the first frame,the first substrate support assembly including a first supportconfigured to support and secure the electronic substrate in a printposition, and a first system, coupled to the first frame and configuredto shuttle electronic substrates to and from the first support of thefirst substrate support assembly, the first system including a firstupper track and a first lower track disposed below the first uppertrack, and at least one second stencil printer including a second frame,a second stencil coupled to the second frame, a second print head,coupled to the second frame and configured to deposit and print viscousmaterial through the second stencil, a second substrate supportassembly, coupled to the second frame, the second substrate supportassembly including a second support configured to support and secure theelectronic substrate in a print position, and a second system, coupledto the second frame and configured to shuttle electronic substrates toand from the second support of the second substrate support assembly,the second system including a at least one second upper track and asecond lower track disposed below the second upper track.

The modular printing system may further comprise at least one controllerconfigured to control the operation of the first stencil printer and theat least one second stencil printer. The controller may be positionedexternal to the first stencil printer and the at least one secondstencil printer. The controller may communicate with the first stencilprinter and the at least one second stencil printer over acommunications network using a communications protocol other than SMEMA.The controller may be positioned internal to at least one of the firststencil printer and the at least one second stencil printer. The atleast one controller may further be configured to control loading afirst electronic substrate into the first upper track of the firststencil printer, raising the first upper track and the first lower trackof the first stencil printer to a position in which first lower track ofthe first stencil printer is aligned with the second upper track of thesecond stencil printer, and loading a second electronic substrate on tothe first lower track of the first stencil printer and transporting thesecond electronic substrate to the second upper track of the secondstencil printer.

The modular printing system may further comprise a third stencil printerincluding a third frame, a third stencil coupled to the third frame, athird print head, coupled to the third frame and configured to depositand print viscous material through the third stencil, a third substratesupport assembly, coupled to the third frame and configured to supportthe electronic substrate in a print position, the third substratesupport assembly including a third table configured to support andsecure the electronic substrate in a print position, and a thirdconveyor system, coupled to the third frame and configured to shuttleelectronic substrates to and from the third table of the third substratesupport assembly, the third conveyor system including a third uppertrack and a third lower track disposed below the third upper track.

The modular printing system may further comprising at least onecontroller configured to control the operation of the first stencilprinter, the at least one second stencil printer, and the third stencilprinter, the at least one controller being configured to control loadinga third electronic substrate on to the first lower track of the firststencil printer and transporting the third electronic substrate to thethird lower track of the third stencil printer, the at least onecontroller being configured to control loading a third electronicsubstrate on to the first lower track of the first stencil printer andtransporting the third electronic substrate to the third lower track ofthe third stencil printer. The at least one controller may further beconfigured to control removing the first electronic substrate bytransporting the first electronic substrate through second and thirdlower tracks of the respective second and third stencil printers. The atleast one controller may further be configured to control loading afourth electronic substrate on to the first upper track of the firststencil printer. The at least one controller may further be configuredto control removing the second electronic substrate by transporting thesecond electronic substrate through one of the first lower track of thefirst stencil printer and the third lower track of the third stencilprinter. The at least one controller may further be configured tocontrol loading a fifth electronic substrate on to the second uppertrack of the second stencil printer. The at least one controller mayfurther be configured to control removing the third electronicsubstrate. The at least one controller may further be configured tocontrol loading a sixth electronic substrate on to the upper track ofthe third stencil printer. The at least one controller may further beconfigured to control removing the fourth, fifth, and sixth electronicsubstrates. The at least one controller may further be configured todynamically control a transport width of at least one of the first uppertrack, the first lower track, the second upper track, and the secondlower track.

The modular printing system may further comprise a rework area.

In some aspects of the modular printing system, the at least onecontroller of the system is configured to direct an electronic substrateon which a defect is detected from a piece of equipment to the reworkarea. The at least one controller may be configured to control a shuttleconveyor to direct an electronic substrate on which a defect is detectedfrom a piece of equipment to the rework area without manualintervention.

The modular printing system may further comprise a secondary remotecontrol unit external to the first stencil printer and external to thesecond stencil printer, the secondary remote control unit configured tointerface with a control interface of the first stencil printer, andprovide the first stencil printer with the ability to control a functionof the second stencil printer.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a modular system for manufacturing printed circuit boards.The modular system comprises a plurality of pieces of processingequipment including at least one assembly material applicator, and atleast one electronic component placement machine, and a transport systemconfigured to transport circuit boards from the at least one stencilprinter to the at least one electronic component placement machine, thesystem including an upper track and a lower track disposed below theupper track.

The modular system may further comprise a controller configured tocontrol at least one of the plurality of pieces of processing equipmentto control the transport of circuit boards through at least one of theplurality of pieces of processing equipment. The controller may beincluded within at least one of the plurality of pieces of processingequipment. The controller may be a modular controller separate from theplurality of pieces of processing equipment and configured to interfacewith at least one of the plurality of pieces of processing equipment.

The modular system may further comprise a controller configured tocontrol at least one of the plurality of pieces of processing equipmentto control the transport of circuit boards from the at least oneassembly material applicator to the at least one component placementmachine along the transport system. The controller may be includedwithin at least one of the at least one assembly material applicator andthe at least one electronic component placement machine.

The modular system may further comprise a controller, wherein thecontroller is configured to communicate information regarding the sizeof a printed circuit board to be processed to the plurality of pieces ofprocessing equipment, and wherein the transport system includes conveyortracks with transport widths that dynamically adjust in response to thecommunication of information regarding the size of a printed circuitboard to be processed.

In some aspects of the modular system, the at least one assemblymaterial applicator comprises at least one of a dispenser, a directwrite apparatus, and a printed circuit board inspection system. Themodular system may further comprise a communications link between theprinted circuit board inspection system and a controller. The controllermay be configured to direct a printed circuit board from the at leastone assembly material applicator to at least one of a rework station, arepair station, and an inspection station upon receipt of a signalthrough the communications link from the printed circuit boardinspection system indicating the detection of a defect on the printedcircuit board.

The modular printer system may further comprise an inspection and testdatabase in communication with the controller, the inspection and testdatabase configured to record the signal sent through the communicationslink from the printed circuit board inspection system to the controller.The inspection and test database may further be configured to recorddata obtained from at least one of the inspection station, theelectronic component placement machine, and a rework station.

The modular system may further include a production scheduler incommunication with the controller and configured to calculate a desiredorder of introduction of printed circuit boards into the modular systemfor processing. The calculation may include, as a factor, data derivedfrom signals sent through the communications link from the printedcircuit board inspection system to the controller.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a modular system for manufacturing printed circuit boards.The modular system comprises a plurality of pieces of processingequipment including at least one assembly material applicator, and atleast one electronic component placement machine, a conveyor trackconfigured to transport circuit boards from the at least one assemblymaterial applicator and the at least one electronic component placementmachine, at least one of a production scheduler and a productiondatabase, and a controller configured to communicate with the pluralityof the pieces of processing equipment over a communications network, andfurther configured to communicate with the production scheduler andproduction database.

In some aspects of the modular system, the controller utilizes apull-based control logic program configured to introduce circuit boardsinto at least one of the plurality of pieces of equipment based on aqueue of circuit boards at least one of the plurality of pieces ofequipment.

In some aspects of the modular system, the controller communicates withthe plurality of the pieces of processing equipment using acommunications protocol other than SMEMA.

The modular system may further include an inspection and test database.The inspection and test database may be configured to receive data fromat least one of the plurality of pieces of processing equipment and tostore said data.

In some aspects of the modular system, the controller utilizes apush-based control logic program configured to introduce circuit boardsinto at least one of the plurality of pieces of equipment.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a method of operating a piece of surface mount technologymanufacturing equipment. The method comprises providing a piece ofsurface mount technology manufacturing equipment having a firstsubstrate transport track disposed in a first position and a secondsubstrate transport track disposed in a second position, moving thefirst substrate transport track from the first position to a thirdposition, and moving the second substrate transport track from thesecond position to the first position.

In accordance with some aspects of the method, moving the firstsubstrate transport track from the first position to a third positioncomprises moving the first substrate transport track in a verticaldirection.

In accordance with some aspects of the method, moving the secondsubstrate transport track from the second position to the first positioncomprises moving the second substrate transport track in a verticaldirection.

In accordance with some aspects of the method, moving the secondsubstrate transport track from the second position to the first positioncomprises moving the second substrate transport track in a horizontaldirection.

The method may further comprise introducing a first substrate onto thefirst substrate transport track while the first transport track isdisposed in the first position and may further comprise processing thefirst substrate while the first substrate transport track is disposed inthe third position. Processing the first substrate may comprisedepositing an assembly material on the first substrate. Processing thefirst substrate may comprise depositing an electronic component on thefirst substrate. Processing the first substrate may comprise performingan inspection operation on the first substrate.

The method may further comprise introducing a second substrate onto thesecond substrate transport track while the second transport track isdisposed in the first position, and may further comprise moving thesecond substrate transport track from the first position to the secondposition while the second substrate is present on the second substratetransport track.

The method may further comprise passing the second substrate along thesecond substrate transport track and through the piece of surface mounttechnology manufacturing equipment while the second substrate transporttrack is disposed in the first position, and may further compriseperforming an inspection operation on the second substrate while passingthe second substrate along the second substrate track.

The method may further comprise passing the second substrate along thesecond substrate transport track and through the piece of surface mounttechnology manufacturing equipment while the second substrate transporttrack is disposed in the second position.

The method may further comprise removing the second substrate from thesecond substrate transport track in a direction at an angle from adirection in which the second substrate was introduced onto the secondsubstrate transport track. Removing the second substrate from the secondsubstrate transport track in a direction at an angle from a direction inwhich the second substrate was introduced onto the second substratetransport track may comprise rotating the second substrate using a crossconveyor and passing the second substrate onto an exit track.

The method may further comprise removing the first substrate from thefirst substrate transport track in a direction at an angle from adirection in which the first substrate was introduced onto the firstsubstrate transport track. Removing the first substrate from the firstsubstrate transport track in a direction at an angle from a direction inwhich the first substrate was introduced onto the first substratetransport track may comprise rotating the first substrate using a crossconveyor and passing the first substrate onto an exit track.

The method may further comprise transporting the first substrate intoanother piece of surface mount technology manufacturing equipment fromthe first substrate transport track while the first substrate transporttrack is disposed in the first position.

The method may further comprise transporting the second substrate intoanother piece of surface mount technology manufacturing equipment fromthe second substrate transport track while the second substratetransport track is disposed in the first position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In thedrawings, each identical or nearly identical component that isillustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. Forpurposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in everydrawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a series of stencil printers in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure with conveyor tracks in a firstconfiguration;

FIGS. 2-26 are schematics of the series of stencil printers of FIG. 1with the conveyor tracks and circuit boards being processed in a varietyof configurations;

FIG. 27A is a flow chart of a method of operating the series of stencilprinters of FIGS. 1-26 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 27B is continuation of the flow chart of FIG. 27A;

FIG. 28 is a schematic of a printed circuit board production line inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29 is a schematic illustration of a stencil printer including arotating cross conveyor in accordance with an alternate embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a schematic illustration of a dual-lane/dual print stencilprinter in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 31 a-33 are schematic illustrations of a stencil printer inaccordance with an additional embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 34 a-36 are schematic illustrations of a stencil printer inaccordance with an additional embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 37-47 illustrate an exemplary printer platform upon which themethod illustrated in FIGS. 27A and 27B may be performed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood that the disclosure is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and arrangements of thecomponents set forth herein. The disclosure is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope ofthe present disclosure. It should also be understood that the materialdisclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations oftwo or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from thetext and/or the drawings. All of these different combinations constitutevarious alternative aspects of the present disclosure. The embodimentsdescribed herein explain the best modes known for practicing thedisclosure and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize thedisclosure.

The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” andvariations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listedthereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

The present disclosure relates generally to examples of materialapplication machines (referred to herein as “stencil printers,”“printing machines,” or “printers”) and other equipment utilized in asurface mount technology (SMT) process lines and configured to apply anassembly material (e.g., solder paste, conductive ink, or encapsulationmaterial) onto a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board, referred toherein as an “electronic substrate,” a “circuit board,” a “board,” a“PCB,” a “PCB substrate,” a “substrate,” or a “PCB board”) or to performother operations, such as inspection, rework, or placement of electroniccomponents onto a substrate.

In one example, a stencil printer may be configured to have a printedcircuit board loader provided at the back of the stencil printer, as isillustrated in FIG. 29, which is described in further detail below. Thestencil printer may be further configured to have a first conveyor toshuttle printed circuit boards to and from the board loader to analignment table or other support mechanism in the stencil printer. Thestencil printer may further include a second conveyor to shuttle printedcircuit boards side to side—to and from adjacent processing equipmentthrough the machine. The stencil printer may be further configured witha rotating cross conveyor disposed beneath the first and/or secondconveyors, or both, to rotate or otherwise orient printed circuit boardsprior to being processed by the stencil printer or transferred by theone of the conveyors or to orient a processed circuit board to betransferred onto an exit conveyor that is non-parallel (e.g. disposed ata 90 degree angle) with a direction in which the circuit board wasloaded into the stencil printer. The cross conveyor may be configured torotate one or more conveyor tracks within a stencil printer or otherpiece of surface mount technology processing equipment in a horizontalplane. The rotating cross conveyor may also be moveable in a verticalaxis (a Z-axis) such that it can place the boards on and off adjacentconveyors at varying heights. Various process steps, such as aligningthe printed circuit board with a stencil, printing material on thesubstrate, inspecting the printed circuit board, and wiping excessmaterial from the stencil may also be performed by the stencil printer.Any of these process steps may be performed while other such processsteps are being performed in parallel on a second board within thestencil printer.

In another example, the stencil printer may be configured with aconveyor provided below the alignment table, in front of the alignmenttable or behind the alignment table. This conveyor may be retractableduring the use of another conveyor (e.g. the primary conveyor) forpassing circuit boards through the stencil printer. This configurationmay enable pass through of printed or non-printed circuit boards throughthe stencil printer for processing by a different piece of equipment offor other process purposes as a parallel process, such as inspection, orfor other reasons, such as for balancing out other line requirements.

Further aspects of this disclosure are directed to one or more of thefollowing features: (1) controlling multiple printers with a productionline control system; (2) controlling pieces of equipment adjacent to aprinter system with the printer; (3) a pull or push control system thatmanages a process line based upon the limitations of either a printer ora placement machine or both simultaneously; (4) a board rejectionprocess that rejects all bad products at a consolidation area after theprocess that caused the rejection; (5) a control system for printersusing communication protocols other than SMEMA; (6) dynamic conveyortrack sizing; (7) auxiliary control for conveying product throughmalfunctioning machines by adjacent printers or other equipment; (8)parallel processing of printed circuit boards; (9) using architecture ofthe printer equipment as an inspection machine; (10) in addition toinspection, using printer system architecture for dispensing and/ordirect write (a process where solder paste or conductive ink is appliedto a substrate such as a circuit board using a device other than a headthat prints through a stencil such as squeegee blades or a pump head,for example, a process using a print head similar to that which may befound in ink jet computer printers) operations; (11) the inclusion ofalternate processes within printer machines, e.g. dispensing, directwrite, and inspection, which could be used in a parallel processing modeor in serial mode; and (12) control systems and methods of control forboard loaders and board magazines.

A software product for controlling printed circuit board printers isalso disclosed herein. In some embodiments, this software may make thedecisions on what quantities and/or types of circuit boards to print ortransport based upon a desired throughput as well as restrictions of theprinting process, such as levels of work in progress and the status(operational or non-operational) of the various pieces of equipment inthe production line as well as the consumables associated with thoseother pieces of production equipment, such as the availability of thespecific chips that the placement machines need to place. This softwarepackage may be capable of residing on a computer installed on a printingmachine or other piece of equipment with in the production line, or mayreside on a separate computer system which could be remote fromequipment in the production line and which may communicate with printingmachines and/or other equipment over a network.

In some embodiments, a printer may include a controller having thecapability of controlling board loaders and board shuttles on theupstream and downstream sides of the printer or of a printer groupincluding the printer. In some embodiments, a monitoring and controlsystem may include a bar code setup that identifies what type of printedcircuit board is being fed into the printers or other pieces ofequipment in a printed circuit board production line. The monitoring andcontrol system may also be used to take feedback from or controlequipment in a production line downstream of a printer, such as aninspection device or a placement machine. The control system may controlthe start of new product based in part on the production queue at aprimary control point, such as a board loader, board magazine, or theprinter, as opposed to a piece of placement equipment.

When a defect is detected on a board, and the board is rejected, theboard may be removed from the machine where the defect was discovered,or it may be repaired in the machine itself.

In order to facilitate a reduction in space taken up by a productionline, or complexity of accessing a board within a printing machine, andto facilitate a reduction in interruptions of the process line andtherefore greater efficiency, some embodiments disclosed herein includea mechanism and process for rejecting defective boards after detectionof a defect. In some embodiments, a shuttle conveyor may be utilized totransport defective boards from a printing machine to a rework area. Insome embodiments, this may be a completely automated process. In someembodiments, the system may deliver defective boards from the shuttleconveyor into a scrap basket or an inspection or repair station forcleaning, repair, or disposal at a later time. This may facilitate thereduction in instances where manual intervention may be required toremove a defective board from a printing machine, which could result ina line down situation, which causes lost production time andinefficiency.

A control system may communicate with printing machines and other typesof equipment in a production line, including, but not limited to,inspection machines, dispensers, placement machines, board shuttles, andboard loaders, using a communications protocol other than, or inaddition to, SMEMA, e.g., Ethernet, TCP/IP, http, or html communicationprotocols. In some embodiments, the control system may utilize anEthernet, RS-232 port, or other network type of connection, including,for example, wireless communication, to communicate with productionequipment. The control system may be programmed to dynamically informone or more machines in the production line which operations to performand when.

The control system may also be utilized in conjunction with dual-laneprinters where it may be used to provide adjacent printers or othertypes of equipment information regarding the transport speed or size ofa circuit board to pass through the piece of equipment. Some pieces ofequipment, such as direct write or inspection equipment, may alsoprovide board identification data so that the piece of equipment wouldprocess the circuit board properly.

In some embodiments, a spacing between rails (i.e., a transport width)of a conveyor track associated with a printer machine or other piece ofequipment in a printed circuit board production line may be changed toaccommodate different board sizes that may be processed on or passedthrough the piece of equipment. This may be performed dynamically on oneor more conveyors associated with a printer or other piece of equipment.

A production line may, in some embodiments, be configured with theability to run printed circuit boards through a partially operational ormalfunctioning machine. This may facilitate a reduction in instanceswherein a down machine may cause a production line down situation untilthe malfunctioning machine is removed and replaced by a functionalmachine or by a conveyor. In one implementation, a long leadedconnection for input and output conveyors in a printing machine may beprovided. If the machine becomes non-operational or partiallyoperational, a functional conveyor within the down machine can beattached to a printer on the upstream or downstream side of thenon-operational machine to allow control of that conveyor to take placeand for product to pass through the non-operational machine.

In some embodiments, a printing machine may be provided with a crossconveyor which lends itself to parallel processing. Operations, such asboard inspection, dispensing, or board identification, may be providedon the printing machine in addition to printing operations. For example,in some embodiments, a cross conveyor may be utilized to move a board toa portion of the printing machine where an operation such as inspectionor dispensing may be performed while another board is being printed onthe printing machine. In some embodiments, a printing machinearchitecture may be modified in order to perform different or additionaloperations. For example, the architecture may be modified to performinspection, dispensing, and/or direct write operations.

The configurations disclosed herein may be employed while performing asingle act upon the board, and should not be limited to a parallelprocessing scenario. The technology disclosed herein may be employed inother technologies, such as printing, dispensing, 2-D inspection, and3-D inspection tied into the same machine architecture.

In certain embodiments, raw boards may be fed into a printing machine bya board loader. Printed circuit boards may be fed into a machine by aconveyor, a magazine, a vertical shuttle from an overhead conveyor, orfrom a horizontal shuttle through the machine.

FIGS. 1-26 and the flowchart of FIGS. 27A and 27B illustrate the conceptof a modular printer system using an example of three printer modules orstations in series. This example involves three printers, printers A, B,and C, designated at reference numerals 5, 10, and 15 respectively.Exemplary platforms, which may be modified to perform print operationsin accordance with the methods disclosed herein, may include, but arenot limited to the ACCELA® and MOMENTUM™ stencil printers offered bySpeedline Technologies, Inc. of Franklin, Mass., the assignee of thepresent disclosure. Each of printers 5, 10, and 15 may include stencilassemblies 20, 25, and 30, upper conveyor tracks 35, 40, and 45, lowerconveyor tracks 50, 55, and 60, alignment tables and associated tooling37, 42 and 47 (referred to hereforth as the alignment tables), andelevators 65, 70, and 75 (referred to as “z-axis”), respectively. Thestencil assemblies 20, 25, and 30 may include stencils, which may bedifferent from another so that each of printers 5, 10, and 15 may printa different pattern. In other embodiments, two or more of printers 5,10, and 15 may be configured with similar or identical stencils so as toprint similar or identical patterns. Each of printers 5, 10, and 15 mayalso include a table or other support mechanism onto which the upperconveyor tracks 35, 40, and 45 or another loading conveyor may place aPCB substrate, either directly or in cooperation with a load/unloadassembly, for aligning and/or supporting and/or securing the substrate.Each of printers 5, 10, and 15 may include one or more cameras for usein aligning and/or inspecting PCBs that are introduced into theprinters. The details of the cameras and stencil printing systems havebeen omitted from FIGS. 1-26 for clarity.

Upper and lower conveyor tracks 35, 40, and 45 and 50, 55, and 60 aresufficiently closely spaced that they may pass PCB substrates from oneto another, e.g., from conveyor track 50 to conveyor track 55, fromconveyor 35 to conveyor 55, or from any conveyor on one machine to anyconveyor on another machine when the applicable conveyor tracks arevertically aligned and set at the appropriate transport width for thesubstrate being conveyed. Elevators 65, 70, and 75 are capable of movingtheir respective upper and lower conveyor tracks upward or downward in avertical direction. The upper and lower conveyor tracks on a printer maybe moved in a vertical direction by the elevator associated with theprinter either independently or together, or both with a semi dependentrange of motion which may have varying levels of control at differentpositions of motion. In some embodiments, additional conveyor tracks maybe provided on one or more of the printers 5, 10, and 15, displacedvertically, horizontally, or both from the conveyor tracks illustrated.Further, in some embodiments there may be one or more transport pathsthrough the machine either horizontally or vertically displaced from oneanother.

At block 200 of FIG. 27A (corresponding to FIG. 1) the process begins.At this time all of printers 5, 10, and 15 are empty of PCB substrates.At block 202, a PCB substrate, designated at reference numeral 100 inFIG. 2, for example, is loaded onto printer 5 along upper conveyor track35 and placed onto the alignment table 37 of printer 5. The PCBsubstrate 100 may be introduced to printer 5 from another conveyor trackleading from an upstream piece of equipment, such as, in someembodiments, another printer, a rework or repair station, an inspectionstation, a reflow or cure station, or a placement machine. The PCBsubstrate 100 may in other embodiments be introduced to printer 5 from aboard loader, conveyor, or shuttle, or may be manually loaded onto theconveyor track 35.

At block 204, the elevator 65 of printer 5 raises the upper and lowerconveyor tracks 35 and 50 and the alignment table 37 of printer 5, suchthat the lower conveyor track 50 is vertically aligned with the upperconveyor track 40 of printer 10 (FIG. 3). Then, in block 206, a secondPCB substrate 110 may be introduced onto the lower conveyor track 50 ofprinter 5, conveyed through printer 5, transferred to the upper conveyortrack 40 of printer 10, and deposited on the alignment table 42 ofprinter 10. Alternatively, the second PCB substrate 110 may be passedthrough printer 10 along conveyor track 40, and onto conveyor track 45of printer 15, with a corresponding alteration to the steps describedbelow.

In block 208, the alignment table 37 of printer 5 aligns the PCBsubstrate 100 with a corresponding stencil assembly 20 and the elevator65 of printer 5 raises the alignment table 37 to place the PCB substratein contact with the stencil assembly 20. This results in theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 4. At block 210, the substrate 100 isprinted by a solder paste dispensing mechanism and squeegee associatedwith stencil assembly 20 (not shown). In other embodiments, solder pasteor conductive ink depositing or patterning systems other than a stenciland squeegee, for example, a direct write printing head or otherdeposition system may be utilized on any or all of printers 5, 10, or15.

After, or in some embodiments, at the same time as, or before thesubstrate 100 is printed, the elevator 70 of printer 10 raises theconveyor track and alignment table assembly of printer 10 so that thelower conveyor track 55 of printer 10 is vertically aligned with thelower conveyor track 50 of printer 5 and the upper conveyor track 45 ofprinter 15. This allows for a third PCB substrate 120 to be loaded ontothe conveyor track 45 and deposited on the alignment table 47 of printer15 by being transferred through printers 5 and 10 by conveyor tracks 50and 55, respectively (block 212 and FIGS. 5 and 6). Once the thirdsubstrate 120 is delivered to printer 15, the first substrate 100 may belowered from the stencil assembly 20, and the second PCB substrate 110may be aligned and raised into contact with the stencil assembly 25 forprinting (FIG. 6 and block 214).

Next, the third PCB substrate 120 may be aligned and raised into contactwith the stencil assembly 30 for printing. Before, during, or afteralignment, raising, or printing of the third PCB substrate 120, thesecond PCB substrate 110 may be lowered from the stencil assembly 25(FIGS. 7 and 8 and blocks 216 and 218).

After printing of the third PCB substrate 120, the third PCB substrate120 is lowered from the stencil assembly 30 such the lower conveyortrack 60 of the third printer 15 is vertically aligned with the lowerconveyor track 55 of the second printer 10 (FIG. 9 and block 220).Concurrent with, before, or after the lowering of the third PCBsubstrate 120, the elevator 65 of the first printer 5 lowers the upperand lower conveyor tracks 35 and 50, such that the upper conveyor track35 is vertically aligned with the lower conveyor tracks 55 and 60 ofprinters 10 and 15, respectively (FIG. 10 and block 222). At this pointthe first PCB substrate 100 may be removed from the printer 5 andcarried through printers 10 and 15 on lower conveyor tracks 55 and 60,respectively (block 224). In alternate embodiments, the first PCBsubstrate 100 may be removed in a different direction along a conveyortrack other than conveyor tracks 55 or 60. The first substrate 100 maythen proceed to another downstream piece of equipment, for example, apick and placement machine or an inspection or rework station. Inalternate embodiments, the first PCB substrate 100 may be removed fromprinter 5 in the same direction it was introduced (an upstreamdirection). In some embodiments, if defects are detected on the PCBsubstrate by an inspection system associated with the printer 5, the PCBmay be sent to a manual inspection or a repair station instead ofproceeding normally through the rest of the production line. Anysubsequently processed PCBs printed and removed from any printer mayalso be removed from the printer in a forward or reverse direction oronto a different piece of equipment, using, e.g., a cross conveyor forredirecting the path of the PCB substrate to, for example, an inspectionor a repair station.

It is noted that the sequence of steps described above is onlyexemplary, and in different embodiments, these steps may be performed indifferent orders, or with different timing, and one or more steps may beadded or eliminated from the process flow described. Also, the raisingand lowering of the various elevators described herein may be performedin different orders and with different timing than described. The sameholds true for the remaining steps described below.

Once the first PCB substrate 100 is removed from the first printer 5, orin some embodiments, during the process of removal of the firstsubstrate 100, a fourth PCB substrate 130 may be introduced to printer 5along conveyor track 35 in a similar manner as the transfer of PCBsubstrate 100 to printer 5 (FIG. 11 and block 226). The fourth PCBsubstrate 130 may then be aligned, raised into contact with the stencilassembly 20 of printer 5, printed upon, and lowered (FIGS. 12-14 andblocks 228 and 230). Before, during, or after the printing of the fourthPCB substrate 130, the elevator 70 of the second printer 10 may lowerthe upper and lower conveyor tracks 40 and 55, such that the upperconveyor track 40 is vertically aligned with the lower conveyor tracks50 and 60 of printers 5 and 15, respectively (FIG. 15 and block 232). Atthis point, the second PCB substrate 110 may be removed from the printer10 by being carried through one of printers 5 and 15 on one of lowerconveyor tracks 50 and 60, respectively (block 234). The second PCBsubstrate 110 may then proceed to another piece of equipment, forexample, a pick and placement machine or an inspection or reworkstation. In alternate embodiments, the second PCB substrate 110 may beremoved in a different direction along a conveyor track other thanconveyor tracks 50 or 60 and/or onto a different piece of equipmentusing, e.g., a cross conveyor for redirecting the path of the PCBsubstrate to, for example, an inspection or a repair station.

Once the second PCB substrate 110 is removed from the second printer 10,or in some embodiments, during the process of removal of the secondsubstrate 110, a fifth PCB substrate 140 may be introduced to printer 10along conveyor tracks 50 and 40 (FIG. 16 and block 236). The fifth PCBsubstrate 140 may then be aligned, raised into contact with the stencilassembly 25 of printer 10, printed upon, and lowered (FIGS. 17-19 andblocks 238 and 240). Before, during, or after the printing of the fifthPCB substrate 140, the elevator 75 of the third printer 15 may lower theupper and lower conveyor tracks 45 and 60, such that the upper conveyortrack 45 is vertically aligned with the lower conveyor tracks 50 and 55of printers 5 and 10, respectively (FIG. 20 and block 242). At thispoint, the third PCB substrate 120 may be removed from the printer 15along conveyor track 45 onto a downstream piece of equipment or by beingcarried through printers 5 and 10 on lower conveyor tracks 50 and 55,respectively (block 244). The third PCB substrate 120 may proceed toanother piece of equipment, for example a pick and placement machine oran inspection or repair station. In alternate embodiments, the third PCBsubstrate 120 may be removed in a different direction along a conveyortrack other than conveyor tracks 50 or 55 and onto a different piece ofequipment, for example an inspection or repair station.

Once the third PCB substrate 120 is removed from the third printer 15,or in some embodiments, during the process of removal of the thirdsubstrate 120, a sixth PCB substrate 150 may be introduced to printer 15along conveyor tracks 50, 55, and 45 (FIG. 21 and block 246). The sixthPCB substrate 150 may then be aligned, raised into contact with thestencil assembly 30 of printer 15, printed upon, and lowered (FIGS.22-24 and blocks 248 and 250). Before, during, or after the printing ofthe sixth PCB substrate 150, the elevator 65 of the first printer 5 maylower the upper and lower conveyor tracks 35 and 50, such that the upperconveyor track 35 is vertically aligned with the lower conveyor tracks55 and 60 of printers 10 and 15, respectively (FIG. 25 and block 252).At this point, the fourth PCB substrate 130 may be removed from theprinter 5 along conveyor tracks 55 and 60 onto a downstream piece ofequipment or by being carried back out of printer 5 on conveyor track 35(block 254). The fourth PCB substrate 130 may proceed to another pieceof equipment, for example, a pick and placement machine or an inspectionor repair station. In alternate embodiments, the fourth PCB substrate130 may be removed in a different direction along a conveyor track otherthan conveyor tracks 35, 55, or 60 and onto a different piece ofequipment, for example an inspection or repair station. Once the fourthPCB substrate 130 is removed from the first printer 5, a seventh PCBsubstrate 160 may be transferred to printer 5 along conveyor track 35 ina similar manner as the first PCB substrate 100 was introduced (FIG. 26and block 256).

The process of transferring PCB substrates into and out of the printersmay be repeated for as many additional PCB substrates as are desired.

It should be understood that embodiments of methods as illustrated inFIGS. 1-26, 27A and 27B are not limited to the order of steps or thetiming illustrated. In alternate embodiments, different steps may beperformed in different orders. Also, in different embodiments, one ormore steps may be eliminated or added. Further, in differentembodiments, cross conveyors could be used in any or all of the printersillustrated, or in other equipment in the production line, to rotate aprocessed board and direct it to an exit conveyor positioned at anangle, for example, perpendicularly, to the direction in which the boardwas introduced into the printer or other piece of equipment.

Further, in the method described above, there is not necessarily adependency between acts being performed on any one printer and actsbeing performed on another printer. As long as a printer has raised alower conveyor into its transfer position (e.g., an upper position of alower conveyor), a board may be conveyed through the machine regardlessof actions being performed on the alignment table or upper conveyor. Forexample, a printer may wait indefinitely until a board is fully printedbefore being utilized to pass a board through. In other embodiments, aprinter may simply allow a board to pass through using either a lower oran upper conveyor, without performing any print or other operation onthe board. In some embodiments, boards passing through a conveyor usingeither a lower or an upper conveyor, without performing any printoperation, may be subject to an inspection operation wherein a 2-D or3-D scanner or other imaging device inspects the board as it passesthrough the printer.

Additionally, a printer may hold a board on a lower conveyor whileprocessing or allowing another board to pass through the printer on anupper conveyor should it be desirable to do so. A lower conveyor, anupper conveyor, or both could be dynamically sized to provide atransport width appropriate for the transport of any size of circuitboard.

In further embodiments, additional conveying paths through the printersmay be provided. These conveying paths may be in the form of furtherconveyor tracks in addition to those illustrated. These conveying pathsmay be disposed vertically displaced, horizontally displaced, or bothfrom those illustrated.

Embodiments of methods as illustrated in FIGS. 1-26, 27A and 27B mayinclude three printing stations; however, it should be appreciated thatother embodiments could be adapted to include fewer or more printingstations should such a modification be desired. In some embodiments,other types of equipment, for example dispensing equipment, inspectionequipment, placement equipment, or multi-lane printers may also beconfigured to perform methods similar to that described above.

An example of a stencil printer including a cross conveyor that may beutilized with the methods described above is illustrated in FIG. 29. Astencil printer 500, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 29 may includea board loader 510, a rotating cross conveyor 520, an alignment table530, and an exit conveyor 540 (sometimes referred to as a bufferconveyor). The exit conveyor may nest into an adjacent machine (notshown). In some embodiments, a single rotating cross conveyor 520 may beutilized to adjust the orientation of boards on both of an upper and alower conveyor track. In alternate embodiments, one or more conveyortracks may be mounted on a horizontally rotating axis. Cross conveyorssimilar to that illustrated in FIG. 29 may be included in other types ofprocess equipment as well, for example, inspection stations, dispensestations, repair or rework stations, reflow or cure stations, andplacement machines.

An example of a dual-lane/dual print printer that may be utilized withthe methods described above is illustrated schematically in FIG. 30. Insome embodiments the dual lane/dual print printer would not include twoprint stations as illustrated, but rather would include a lane forsimply passing a substrate through the machine. In this case, theprinter would be referred to as simply a dual-lane printer. Thedual-lane/dual print printer 600 may include a pair of board loaders610. In alternate embodiments, transport rails from an upstream piece ofequipment may take the place of one or more of these board loaders 610.The dual-lane/dual print printer 600 may also include a pair ofalignment tables 630, and a pair of exit conveyors 640 (a.k.a. bufferconveyors). Some embodiments may also include a cross conveyor similarto cross conveyor 520 of FIG. 29. In some embodiments, a dual-laneprinter may include upper and lower conveyor tracks on one or bothlanes. Other pieces of equipment, for example inspection or placementmachines, may also be provided with a dual-lane configuration.

It should also be noted that although only two conveyor tracks areillustrated on each of printers 5, 10, and 15, one vertically displacedfrom another, embodiments of methods according to the present disclosuremay be adapted to include multiple printing stations with three or moreseparate conveyor tracks. These multiple conveyor tracks may bevertically or horizontally displaced from each other and independentlymovable in a vertical or horizontal direction, or in some embodiments,movable in any one or more of a vertical, horizontal, or rotationaldirection.

In some embodiments, printers according to the present disclosure mayhave multiple conveyor tracks arranged with a horizontal displacementbetween different conveyor tracks and/or with conveyor tracks orientedin different directions. In some embodiments one or more conveyors maybe displaced from one or more other conveyors in any one or more of ahorizontal, vertical, and rotational direction.

FIGS. 31 a-33 illustrate a printer which includes a pair of conveyortracks 680, 682 mounted to a single stencil printer, but horizontallydisplaced from one another. The conveyor track 680 may be utilized topass circuit board substrates through to another downstream piece ofequipment while other circuit board substrates are deposited on analignment table 686 or other securing device within the printer forprinting. As such, the printer of FIGS. 31 a-33 may act similar to adual-lane printer. However, the conveyor track 680 may also be coupledto a horizontally moving platform 684. The moving platform 684 may beused to position the circuit board substrate and portion of conveyor 680on the horizontally moving platform 684 below the conveyor track 682after the conveyor track 682 (and any substrate present on this track)is raised out of the way using a moving z-axis 688, by horizontallydisplacing the moving platform 684 and the conveyor track 680 and anysubstrate which may reside thereon, as shown in FIG. 33. A substratepresent on the conveyor track 680 coupled to the horizontally movingplatform 684 may then exit the printer through an exit conveyorpreviously aligned with conveyor track 682. In alternative embodiments,the arrangement of conveyors illustrated in FIG. 33 could be used topass circuit board substrates through the printer along conveyor track680 while another substrate which had been delivered along conveyortrack 682 was being printed using, for example the stencil 690, cameragantry 660 and wiper 650.

Further, in alternate embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 34a-36, both the first conveyor track 680 and the second conveyor track682 may be positioned on a horizontally moving platform 684 that mayenable both conveyor tracks 680 and 682 to simultaneously move in ahorizontal direction to position the conveyor track 680 in a positionpreviously occupied by conveyor track 682. A substrate present onconveyor track 682 could then be processed, for example printed usingsqueegee 695 and stencil 690, while conveyor track 680 was used as apass-through conveyor for the printer.

Like the printers of FIGS. 1-26, an inspection of boards passing throughthe printers of FIGS. 31 a-33 and 34 a-36 on conveyor 680 could beperformed while other operations, such as printing were being performedon a substrate that had been delivered to the printer along conveyor682.

The horizontally displaced conveyor track arrangements illustrated inFIGS. 31 a-33 and 34 a-36 could also be implemented in other types ofprocessing equipment, such as dispensers, inspection equipment, reworkequipment, or placement equipment.

In some embodiments, one or more printers may include one or morecameras or other inspection or quality testing mechanisms capable ofperforming statistical post-print inspection of PCB substrates. Ifdefects are detected, a PCB substrate may be sent to a dedicatedinspection machine for a more thorough inspection. If the flaws may berectified, the PCB substrate may be reprinted or sent to a direct writepiece of equipment or another form of repair station or equipment forrepair. This repair could take place before running the PCB boardthrough a pick and placement machine, avoiding time consuming reworkafter the pick and place operation had been performed. If the PCBsubstrate was determined to be acceptable at a dedicated inspectionstation, it may be reintroduced and continue flowing through theproduction line without production backing up.

Solder paste printers in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure may incorporate dynamic line sizing for the conveyor tracksincluded therein in order to allow for flexible processing of multipledifferent sized PCBs. Using printers 5, 10, and 15 described above as anexample, printer 5 may be configured to print four inch PCB boards,while printers 10 and 15 may be configured to print five and six inchPCB boards, respectively. When printer 5 is printing a four inch board,the conveyor track 50 can be sized to pass-through a five inch board toprinter 10, and then resized again to pass-through a six inch board toprinter 15. When the four inch board is completed, the conveyor tracks55 and 60 on printers 10 and 15 may be resized to allow that board topass through them and into, for example a placement machine.

It should be appreciated that one or more conveyor tracks in printersaccording to different embodiments of the present disclosure may includedynamic line sizing to allow for the transport of any number of sizes ofPCBs, not just four, five, and six inch PCBs. The provision of dynamicline sizing in the conveyor tracks of printers in accordance with thepresent disclosure may reduce or eliminate the need to panelize productsto a standard size to get the benefits of modular printing. With dynamicline sizing, PCB boards may be reduced in size to the smallest possiblesize desired to accommodate a preferred set of components. This mayfacilitate cost savings on boards, packaging, shipping, waste and manyother aspects of cost involved in making PCBs. With dynamic line sizing,PCB boards may be reduced in size to be no larger than they inherentlyneed to be to incorporate a desired set of components.

Dynamic line sizing may also be useful in job shops that may requirefrequent changes to the size of boards that require processing. Excesscapacity in one production line could be used to process shortproduction runs of differently sized boards without requiring a fullline reconfiguration to be performed.

Printers and other pieces of SMT processing equipment, including, forexample, dispensers, placement machines, optical inspection machines,reflow stations, cure stations, repair stations, and board loaders orshuttles according to the present disclosure may include one or moreconveyor tracks with adjustable lane widths to facilitate the transportof different sizes of PCB boards through these pieces of equipment.These pieces of equipment may be controlled by a control system thatprovides data to the equipment as to how and when to adjust conveyortrack (which may also be referred to as transport lane) sizes toproperly accommodate different PCB boards. This control system may becentralized in the sense that it is not dedicated to any one piece ofequipment. An example of such a production line control system isillustrated schematically in FIG. 28.

FIG. 28 illustrates a plurality of printers 5, 10, and 15, a pick andplace machine (a placement machine) 310, a solder paste inspector 385which may be present between one or more repair stations 340 and/orprinters and the pick and placement machine 310, and an automatedoptical inspection station 380, which may make up a portion of amanufacturing line for PCBs. Additional processing equipment, such asone or more reflow stations 390 with one or more process lanes, one ormore cure stations 400 with one or more process lanes, one or moredispenser stations 420 for performing underfill and/or encapsulationoperations with one or more process lanes, which may be present betweenthe reflow and cure stations 390 and 400, additional automated opticalinspection stations, additional solder paste inspectors, additionalprinters in series with printers 5, 10, and 15, or additional series ofprinters running parallel production lines may also be present. Shuttleloaders may also be present to transfer substrates passing through themanufacturing line to tracks on downstream pieces of equipment which maynot necessarily be horizontally or vertically aligned with exitconveyors from upstream pieces of equipment.

There may also be present a rework station or line to which PCB boardsfailing inspection at the solder paste inspector 385 or at the automatedoptical inspection station 380 may be sent. The rework line may include,for example a repair station that may dispense solder paste onto asubstrate. The repair station 340 illustrated may also in someembodiments include this feature. One or more cleaning stations (notillustrated) may also be present at various positions in the productionline.

These pieces of process equipment may be present in a production line inthe order illustrated in FIG. 28, or, in other embodiments, the order ofthese pieces of process equipment may be different from thatillustrated. In some embodiments, more than one series of printers mayfeed a single placement machine. In other embodiments, a series ofprinters sharing a same product flow path may feed product to multipleplacement machines. In further embodiments, a manufacturing line may beset up so that a PCB may make a pass through a printer or a series ofprinters to have one side printed, and then be returned to the front ofthe production line, on a conveyor 410 or by other means, such as manualconveyance, for reintroduction into a printer or a series of printers(either the same or different printer or series of printers) for furtherprinting of the same or another side of the PCB.

A computerized controller 320 may communicate directly to any or all ofprinters 5, 10, and 15, placement machine 310, automated opticalinspection station 380, reflow station 390, cure station 400, andconveyor system 410, or may communicate to any or all of these pieces ofequipment through a network 330, such as an Ethernet network or LAN. Thecontroller 320 may also be in communication with a repair station 340 atwhich defective PCB boards are repaired prior to being introduced intothe placement machine 310. The controller 320 may also be incommunication with a production database 350, a production scheduler360, and an inspection and test database 365.

The controller 320, production database 350, production scheduler 360,and inspection and test database 365 may in some embodiments be part ofa single computer system. In alternate embodiments, the controller 320,production database 350, production scheduler 360, and inspection andtest database 365 may be separate and in communication with one anotherover a communications network, such as network 330.

The production database 350 may contain information related to thenumber and types of PCB product that is desired to be produced. Thisinformation may be updated periodically or on a real time basis eithermanually, for example through entry of information into an interface ofthe production database 350, or automatically, by for example,communicating with a customer's order database 370. The productiondatabase 350 may also contain information regarding raw materialsrequired for the production of the printed circuit boards (e.g., variouselectronic components, or consumables such as solder paste orencapsulent) and the transit status and location of those materials.

The production scheduler 360 may monitor the output of the productionline and the information in the production database 350, and dynamicallyadjust the queue of new PCBs to be started for production, taking in toaccount, for example, the amount of work in progress, the amount ofdefective product detected, and the operational state of the variouspieces of equipment in the production line. The controller 320 mayschedule production in a pull mode or in a push mode based on a productqueue or output at any particular piece of equipment, or set ofequipment in the production line or a set of dynamic circumstances thatmay take place within the line, e.g. jams, the lack of availability ofsome of the consumables for the process line, or inspection failures.

The inspection and test database 365 may be utilized to store inspectionand test data to be useable for closed loop inspection decisions (suchas questionable print issues resulting in test failures) and/or laterfor reliability analysis of fielded goods (such as questionable printresults resulting in field reliability issues). This data may beprovided to the inspection and test database 365 directly frominspection equipment in the production line, such as optical inspectionstation 380 or inspection mechanisms present in any of the printers orother pieces of equipment, or may be provided indirectly through thecontroller 320, or through the network 330.

In some embodiments, the controller 320 may be configured to receivesignals from inspection apparatus associated with one or more printersin a production line. Upon the detection of a defect by the inspectionapparatus, the controller 320 may instruct the printer to direct thedefective circuit board onto a conveyor system which brings thedefective board to, for example, a manual inspection station (not shown)or to a board repair station 340. In this manner, defective boards maybe cleaned and reintroduced into the process or removed from theproduction line so that they do not hold up production of other boards.Defective boards removed from the production line may be furtherinspected and/or repaired when an operator or technician becomesavailable.

In a certain embodiment, the controller 320 may be configured to use apersonal computer having a Microsoft DOS or Windows XP operating systemwith application specific software to control the operation of thevarious pieces of equipment in the production line. In otherembodiments, the controller may utilize other operating systems,including, for example, UNIX or Linux. The controller 320 is not limitedto any particular form of computer architecture or operating system. Thecontroller 320 may include a processor, memory for storage data andcontrol programs to carry out the programmed procedures describedherein. Also, a display associated with the controller 320 may beaccompanied by interactive user inputs including a keyboard and a mousethat are used to manipulate the controller 320. Other user interfaces,such as a touch screen could be utilized in alternate embodiments.

In some embodiments, a production line may be provided which includesmultiple printers and one or more pick and placement machines. Differentprinters may be configured with different stencils to print differentimages on PCBs passing through them. In some embodiments, a productionline may be designed such that the printers may have a higher throughputcapacity than the pick and placement machine(s). This may be the casebecause printing equipment is typically less expensive than pick andplace equipment. Also, the pick and place equipment may run slower thana printer because of the large number of components that may be appliedto a printed circuit board by a pick and placement machine. Operationsmanagement principles dictate that it may be desirable to havesufficient capacity in the cheaper equipment in a production line tokeep the more expensive equipment running at a high percentage of itspotential capacity.

With excess printing capacity and numerous images in the printing area,a centralized control system could increase the throughput efficiency ofthe overall printing and placing operation and/or the manufacturingprocess line as a whole. Decisions can be made early on in the processfor better optimization. Rejected boards can be eliminated from theprocess and time can be found to replace them without impacting theoperation of the placement equipment. Inspection considerations andrework considerations can be taken into account and processes can be puttogether with the greatest level of focus on overall quality andthroughput. Individual needs for each machine (such as stencil cleaning,paste replenishment, and paper replenishment) can be taken intoconsideration, and sacrifices and tradeoffs could be made to provide amore highly efficient production system than might otherwise beachievable.

In production lines where printing is the bottle neck, a control systemcapable of reacting to all line process needs will also enable for amore efficient line as interruptions in other processes such asplacement will not put the print line down

A centralized production line control system not only lends itself toincreasing overall line efficiency, but also to the collection of dataand the use of the data for higher levels of decision making. This datamay potentially be helpful in establishing overall production lineimprovement decisions, such as product selection and production linereconfiguration to provide for capacity improvements. This data mightalso be useful in performing reliability analysis which could influencedesign decisions which could take into account the process capability ofthe production line.

A control system in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be configured to control other pieces of equipment inaddition to printers and placement machines, such as inspectionmachines, dispensers, and direct write machines.

A manual interface defect rejection station may be included in somesystems in accordance with the present disclosure. The manual interfacedefect rejection station may provide the ability to direct rejectedboards for disposal or to queue them up for manual intervention. Thismay facilitate the reduction in the amount of time that a productionline spends down due to the need for manual intervention and inspectionof rejected boards. If rejected boards can be put aside until anoperator frees up, the process cycle time can be maintained withoutimpact.

In some embodiments, there is provided a system for allowing one printerto control a second printer in the case that the second printerexperienced a failure. In other embodiments, the system may provide forany type of equipment, e.g., dispensers, pick and place machines,inspection stations, etc., to assume control of any other type ofequipment that had experience some form of failure. This system mayfacilitate keeping a manufacturing line including several printers orother forms of equipment in series running in the case of failure of asingle printer or other piece of equipment.

In some embodiments, the system may comprise a secondary remote controlunit that may be placed in or attached to a functioning piece ofequipment and that may be capable of running the pass-through conveyor(or a primary conveyor with the tooling removed) on a malfunctioningmachine, such as a stencil printer. In some embodiments, if a stencilprinter or other piece of equipment experiences a failure, the secondaryremote control unit may be connected to an operational upstream ordownstream piece of equipment. The operational piece of equipment may beconfigured to interface with the malfunctioning machine through thesecondary remote control unit and operate functional portions of themalfunctioning machine.

In some embodiments, this configuration may occur automatically upon theconnection of the secondary remote control unit to the operational andthe malfunctioning pieces of equipment. In other embodiments, manualconfiguration of the operational piece of equipment may be performed toenable the interface and communication between the operational and themalfunctioning pieces of equipment through the secondary remote controlunit. In some embodiments, a control interface for a conveyor track fromthe malfunctioning machine may be connected to the secondary remotecontrol unit to allow the operational piece of equipment to control theconveyor track of the malfunctioning machine. In some embodiments,removal of tooling from the malfunctioning machine may facilitateoperation of the conveyor track under control of the operational pieceof equipment.

In some embodiments, an adjacent equipment control system would comprisea box with connectors through which communication between the adjacentequipment may take place. In some embodiments, this box would be smalland portable. This box could be plugged into the power supply of anupstream or downstream functioning machine and connected to a networkinterface for communications though for example, network 330. A controlinterface for the conveyor track segment from a malfunctioning machinecould then be connected to the control box. Upstream or downstreaminterface connections (SMEMA and/or network connections) would also, insome embodiments, be connected to the machine that was to assume controlof the conveyor track of the malfunctioning machine. The functionalmachine could then control the conveyor track segment of themalfunctioning machine as if it were an extension of its own conveyorcapabilities. In some embodiments, the control box would enablecommunication between transport sensors of the malfunctioning machineand the controlling machine and/or network as well.

This system would, in some embodiments, enable the malfunctioningmachine to remain in place waiting for repair while still allowingproduct to pass through it, as opposed to removing the malfunctioningmachine and replacing it with either a conveyor segment or backupmachine.

In some embodiments, the secondary remote control unit would allow theoperational piece of equipment to take over control of communications,board transport, and conveyor track width adjustments of themalfunctioning machine. In some embodiments, the secondary remotecontrol unit would allow the operational piece of equipment to interfacewith safety circuitry of the malfunctioning machine.

A secondary remote control unit could in some embodiments, also be usedin conjunction with a dual-lane machine to run a pass-through conveyorif that machine was down.

In further embodiments, the secondary remote control unit could becontrolled by, or integrated into the controller 320. In someembodiments, transfer of control of a conveyor track of a first machinefrom the first machine to a secondary machine, could be initiated by thecontroller. In some embodiments, the controller could be manuallyinstructed to perform this transfer of control, and in otherembodiments, the transfer of control could be performed automatically bythe controller upon, for example, the controller receiving acommunication of an error from a stencil printer.

In further embodiments, the controller 320 would itself be theoperational piece of equipment that assumed control of functions of amalfunctioning piece of equipment.

In further embodiments, equipment and/or circuitry replicating thefunctionality of the secondary remote control unit may be integratedinto one or more pieces of equipment, for example, stencil printers orplacement machines. In these embodiments, no separate remote controlunit would be needed for an operational piece of equipment to assumecontrol of all or a portion of a malfunctioning piece of equipment. Amachine experiencing a failure would be connected to an operationalupstream or downstream piece of equipment which may be configured tointerface directly with the malfunctioning machine and operatefunctional portions of the malfunctioning machine. In some embodiments,this transfer of control may be performed automatically upon a detectionof an error signal from a malfunctioning piece of equipment by eitheranother piece of equipment or by the controller 320.

An exemplary stencil printer platform upon which one or more of themethods described above may be performed is illustrated in FIGS. 37-47.As will be described in greater detail below, with respect to featuresof the present disclosure, the stencil printer platform may beconfigured to include one or more frame members or castings that supportcomponents of the stencil printer platform. The components of thestencil printer platform may include, in part, a controller, a display,a stencil, and a print head assembly or print head configured to applythe solder paste. The print head may be suitably coupled or otherwiseconnected to the frame members or castings. In one embodiment, the printhead may be mounted on a print head gantry, which may be mounted on theframe members or castings. The gantry enables the print head to be movedin the y-axis direction under the control of the controller. Asdescribed below in further detail, the print head may be placed over thestencil and a front or a rear squeegee blade of the print head may belowered in the z-axis direction into contact with the stencil. Thesqueegee blade of the print head then may be moved by means of thegantry across the stencil to allow printing of solder paste onto acircuit board.

As described herein, the stencil printer platform may also include aconveyor system of embodiments of the present disclosure having aplurality of rails or tracks for transporting a printed circuit board toa print position in the stencil printer. The rails may be configured tofeed, load or otherwise deliver circuit boards to the working area ofthe stencil printer, which is sometimes referred to as the “print nest”or “work nest” in the art, and to unload circuit boards from the printnest. The stencil printer platform may have a support assembly tosupport the circuit board and secure the circuit board so that it isstable during a print operation. In certain embodiments, the substratesupport assembly may further include a particular substrate supportsystem, e.g., a solid support, a plurality of pins, or flexible tooling,which is positioned beneath the circuit board when the circuit board isin the print position. The substrate support system may be used, inpart, to support the interior regions of the circuit board to preventflexing or warping of the circuit board during the print operation.

In one embodiment, the print head may be configured to receive solderfrom a source, such as a dispenser, e.g., a solder paste cartridge, thatprovides solder paste to the print head during the print operation.Other methods of supplying solder paste may be employed in place of thecartridge. For example, solder paste may be manually deposited betweenthe squeegee blades or from an external source. Additionally, in acertain embodiment, the controller may be configured to use a personalcomputer as described herein having an operating system with applicationspecific software to control the operation of the stencil printer. Thecontroller may be networked with a master controller that is used tocontrol a production line for fabricating circuit boards.

In one configuration, the stencil printer platform operates as followsto perform a print operation. A circuit board is loaded into the stencilprinter using the conveyor rails. The support assembly raises andsecures the circuit board to a print position. The print head thenlowers the desired squeegee blade of the print head in the z-axisdirection until squeegee blade of the print head contacts the stencil ata desired pressure. The print head is then moved in the y-axis directionacross the stencil by the print head gantry. The print head depositssolder paste through apertures in the stencil and onto the circuitboard. Once the print head has fully traversed the stencil across theapertures, the squeegee blade is lifted off the stencil and the circuitboard is lowered back onto the conveyor rails. The circuit board isreleased and transported from the stencil printer platform so that asecond circuit board may be loaded into the stencil printer in a mannerdescribed herein. To print on the second circuit board, the othersqueegee blade is lowered in the z-axis direction into contact with thestencil and the print head may be moved across the stencil in thedirection opposite to that used for the first circuit board.

In alternate configurations, the printer platform may include a stencilprinting assembly or other form of material deposition system thatlowers to the level of a substrate on a conveyor or other supportassembly for the printing solder paste or deposition of other material.In these configurations, the substrate would remain substantiallystationary (e.g. on the conveyor rails) while the printing or depositionassembly was moved to meet it. In additional configurations, a worknestand rails of a printer platform which are supporting a board may bemoved below a material dispense system by movement in one or both of ahorizontal and vertical direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 37, a stencil printer platform, generallyindicated at 700, may include a fixed z-axis casting 710 onto which ismounted a moving z-axis casting 720. The moveable z-axis casting 720 maybe coupled to the fixed z-axis casting 710 using a linear bearing rail(not shown) and bearing trucks 715. The term “casting” used herein ismeant to refer to any form of frame or other support structure forsupporting or connecting the various elements of the printer or otherpiece of equipment described. The material of construction of method offormation of these castings is not intended to be limiting. Thematerials of construction of the castings described herein may includesuch materials as metals, plastics, ceramics, or composites, formed intoa desired shape by any appropriate method known in the art.

In FIG. 37, the lower conveyor 780 is coupled to the fixed z-axiscasting 710 by a plate 860 (shown more clearly in FIG. 39) that iscoupled with a linear bearing rail and truck assembly 730 that ismounted to a fixed mount plate 840 (shown more clearly in FIG. 39) thatis in turn mounted to the fixed z-axis casting 710. An upper travellimit shock 740 coupled to the lower conveyor mount plate 860 may serveto halt the movement of the lower conveyor when the moving z-axis 720 israised and a stop plate 750 pushes on shock 740. As the moving z-axiscasting 720 is pushed upward by, for example, an air cylinder 785 andthe motor 795, the movement of the lower conveyor 780 may be halted whenthe upper travel limit shock 740 comes into contact with a pair of stopplates 750, which are coupled to the fixed z-axis casting 710 onopposite sides of the moving z-axis casting.

Another stop plate 760, fastened to the moving z-axis casting 720, maycome into contact with a lower travel limit shock 770 when the movingz-axis casting is moving in a downward direction. The moving z-axiscasting may move a lower conveyor track 780, which may move up and downon the linear bearings 730, down into the machine base so that it is notaligned for product transport through the printer. The moving z-axiscasting 720 may experience a constant upward force applied by aircylinder 785 to balance out the weight of the moving z-axis casting 720to reduce the amount of force needed to be applied by the motor 795 tomove the movable z-axis 720. In other embodiments, the air cylinder 785may only be pressurized when it is desired to raise the moving z-axiscasting 720. The motor 795 may be used to move the moving z-axis casting720 in an upward or downward direction.

FIG. 38 illustrates the lower conveyor track 780 slidably mounted to thefixed z-axis casting 710. Stop plate 760 is illustrated floating inspace in FIG. 38 since the stop plates 760 are coupled to the movingz-axis casting 720, which has been omitted from this figure for clarity.In this drawing figure, the stop plate 760 is engaging the rear shock770 to push the lower conveyor track 780 down. When the lower conveyortrack 780 is allowed to move up by raising the moving z-axis casting 720a distance sufficient to disengage the plate 760 from the shock 770, andthe moving z-axis casting 720 reaches a sufficiently high position, thestop plate 750 will become engaged with shock 740 and the lower conveyortrack 780 may assume its upper position and be available for producttransport. Dynamic lane sizing may be provided by providing a motor orscrew, such as a ballscrew 787, to move tracks 780 together or apartalong linear bearing 785. A similar mechanism may be provided fordynamic lane sizing of the upper conveyor tracks 790.

FIG. 39 illustrates the lower conveyor track 780 in its upper position,with the moving z-axis casting 720 omitted for clarity. There are twoplates each indicated at 840 and two plates each indicated at 860 (withplates 840, 860 positioned at each side of the casting) with a linearbearing rail and truck assembly 730 keeping the plates in parallel andallowing for the extension of their motion. As shown, plate 840 ismounted to the fixed z-axis casting 710. The base of the air cylinder850 is mounted to the plate 840 and the extending rod of the aircylinder 850 is mounted to the moving plate 860. In some embodiments,this air cylinder is configured to constantly push upward against themoving plate 860. In other embodiments, the air cylinder is pressurizedwhen it is desired to raise the lower conveyor 780. In this figure, themoveable z-axis casting (not visible) is in the upper position. Thisconfiguration allows the lower conveyor track 780 to achieve its fullupward stroke and seat the shock 740 against the stop plate 750.

FIG. 40 illustrates the lower conveyor track 780 in a down position. Themoving z-axis casting is not shown in this figure. When the movingz-axis casting moves to the lower transport position, such that theupper conveyor track 790 (illustrated in FIG. 43) is at the transportheight, and circuit boards may be loaded to or from the upper conveyortrack 790, the plate 760 pushes the lower conveyor track 780 from itslocation at the transport height down into the base of the machine andholds it in this position. The vertical position of the upper transporttrack 790 when the moving z-axis casting is in its lower transportposition corresponds to a vertical height of an upper position of thelower transport track 780.

In some embodiments, the lower conveyor track 780 may travel about fiveinches between its upper and lower positions, although in otherembodiments the vertical travel length of the lower conveyor track rails780 may be greater or less than about five inches. The lower position isachieved when the moving z-axis casting pushes plate 760 into contactwith shock 770 and drives the assembly down. The upper position isachieved when the moving z-axis casting 720 lifts up and the lowerconveyor track 780 lifts up with it until shock 740 comes to rest onplate 750.

FIG. 41 illustrates an upper conveyor track 790 positioned to send aboard out through a transport opening 810 formed in a cover 820 of aparticular machine (e.g., a stencil printer platform or a placementmachine). Cover 820 may be located on a side and/or a front and/or aback of the machine. A similar transport hole may be present in a cover(which is separate from or part of cover 820) on another side of themachine for introduction of boards into the machine. In someembodiments, the cover 820 may not be provided. The lower conveyor track780 (shown in dotted lines) is recessed within the machine. The lowerconveyor track 780 can hold a board while recessed within the machine,which provides a parking place for a board within a machine. Thisconfiguration may enable other circuit boards to pass in front of theparked circuit board, via the top conveyor, if size allows, so that theother circuit board flows through a series of printers or otherprocessing equipment, or flows to some other destination that enables abalancing out of the production process. A control system from theproduction line may be configured to account and plan for this type ofboard parking/storage/bypass.

FIG. 42 illustrates the system 700 shown in FIG. 41 with the lowerconveyor track 780 raised to the level of the transport opening 810 sothat it may be used to transport a board into or out of the machine. Acircuit board located on the upper conveyor track (shown in dottedlines) located within the machine is shown in dotted lines this board iscapable of being worked on within the machine in this position.

FIG. 43 illustrates a system with the lower conveyor track 780 in itslower position. A first circuit board is on the lower conveyor track ina position ready to exit the machine when the lower conveyor track 780is raised to transport height. A second circuit board is shown on aworknest 830 ready for lifting into a position for processing. In theposition illustrated, circuit boards may be transported to the worknest830 by the upper conveyor track 790.

FIG. 44 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 43 with the moving z-axiscasting 720 in the upper position with the lower conveyor positioned forboard transport. As shown, the upper travel limit shock 740 is incontact with the stop plate 750 that is mounted to the fixed z-axiscasting 710. The lower conveyor track 780 is shown in its upperposition. In this position, boards may be transported onto or off of thelower conveyor track 780. The illustrated upper position of the lowerconveyor track 780 may vertically align with the lower position of theupper conveyor track 790, as illustrated in, for example, FIG. 43. Insome embodiments, the relative heights of the upper and lower conveyortracks may be set by adjusting collars on the shocks 740, 770.

FIG. 45 shows a finished printed circuit board ready to exit the machinefrom the upper conveyor track 790. The lower conveyor track 780 can beseen behind the transparent cover in the down position. The lowerconveyor track 780 is located within the machine, but is shown in solidlines, as the side cover of the machine is illustrated as transparent inthis figure. It can also be seen that there is no board on the lowerconveyor, which, in some embodiments, will typically be the situationwhen the conveyor is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, theonly time that a board will be on the lower conveyor when in theretracted state will be when a board is stored there in conjunction withthe sophisticated control system.

FIG. 46 shows a finished printed circuit board ready to exit the machinefrom the lower conveyor track 780. As in FIG. 45, the upper and lowertracks and other elements of the assembly within the machine are shownin solid lines as the side cover of the machine is illustrated astransparent. A second circuit board is shown on the worknest 830 readyfor processing behind the transparent cover.

FIG. 47 shows the machine and boards in the configuration shown in FIG.46 from a front of the stencil printer platform with the front hoodopened.

The platform described above and in FIGS. 37-47 may be modified tofunction as an inspection station, dispenser, direct write machine, oran electronic component placement machine.

Various changes to the platform described above and in FIGS. 37-47 maybe made while still falling within the scope of the present disclosure.For example, in some embodiments, the upper and lower conveyor tracks ofa stencil printer platform or other piece of surface mount technologymanufacturing equipment, such as a placement machine or inspectionstation, may be configured to move completely independently of oneanother. In some embodiments, a lower conveyor track may remain in alowermost position regardless of the vertical position of an upperconveyor track.

Also, the platform described above and in FIGS. 37-47 may be utilized ina dual or multi-lane machine, such as a multi-lane printer, dispenser,inspection station, or placement machine wherein one or more lanes mayinclude lower and upper conveyor tracks as described.

In other embodiments, one of either an upper conveyor track or a lowerconveyor track, or both, may be removable from the equipment in which itis installed while the other conveyor track remains operational. Forexample, in some embodiments, a lower conveyor track may be removablefrom a stencil printer or other type of equipment, while an upper trackis in operation. A different type of lower track or other type ofequipment may be installed in the place of the removed lower conveyortrack. For example, a lower conveyor track may be removed and replacedwith a track which has functionality for passing boards through theequipment, but lacks other functionality of the removed conveyor track.Alternatively, the replacement track may include additional features,such as a visual inspection or a defect detection mechanism which maynot be present in the removed lower track. In other embodiments, thetemporarily exposed hole through the machine may be used for a manualboard transport system, or a robotic arm or other transport system maybe utilized in place of the removed lower track to pass boards throughthe piece of equipment. This equipment may be mounted to the machine ormay be a separate piece of hardware operating independently, but withregard to the state of the machine.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of thisinvention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications,and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Suchalterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part ofthis disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings areby way of example only.

1. A modular system for manufacturing printed circuit boards comprising:a plurality of pieces of processing equipment including at least oneassembly material applicator, and at least one electronic componentplacement machine; and a transport system configured to transportcircuit boards from the at least one stencil printer to the at least oneelectronic component placement machine, the system including an uppertrack and a lower track disposed below the upper track.
 2. The modularsystem of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to controlat least one of the plurality of pieces of processing equipment tocontrol the transport of circuit boards through at least one of theplurality of pieces of processing equipment.
 3. The modular system ofclaim 2, wherein the controller is included within at least one of theplurality of pieces of processing equipment.
 4. The modular system ofclaim 2, wherein the controller is a modular controller separate fromthe plurality of pieces of processing equipment and configured tointerface with at least one of the plurality of pieces of processingequipment.
 5. The modular system of claim 1, further comprising acontroller configured to control at least one of the plurality of piecesof processing equipment to control the transport of circuit boards fromthe at least one assembly material applicator to the at least onecomponent placement machine along the transport system.
 6. The modularsystem of claim 5, wherein the controller is included within at leastone of the at least one assembly material applicator and the at leastone electronic component placement machine.
 7. The modular system ofclaim 1, further comprising a controller, wherein the controller isconfigured to communicate information regarding the size of a printedcircuit board to be processed to the plurality of pieces of processingequipment, and wherein the transport system includes conveyor trackswith transport widths that dynamically adjust in response to thecommunication of information regarding the size of a printed circuitboard to be processed.
 8. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one assembly material applicator comprises at least one of adispenser, a direct write apparatus, and a printed circuit boardinspection system.
 9. The modular system of claim 8, further comprisinga communications link between the printed circuit board inspectionsystem and a controller.
 10. The modular system of claim 9, wherein thecontroller is configured to direct a printed circuit board from the atleast one assembly material applicator to at least one of a reworkstation, a repair station, and an inspection station upon receipt of asignal through the communications link from the printed circuit boardinspection system indicating the detection of a defect on the printedcircuit board.
 11. The modular printer system of claim 10, furthercomprising an inspection and test database in communication with thecontroller, the inspection and test database configured to record thesignal sent through the communications link from the printed circuitboard inspection system to the controller.
 12. The modular printersystem of claim 11, wherein the inspection and test database is furtherconfigured to record data obtained from at least one of the inspectionstation, the electronic component placement machine, and a reworkstation.
 13. The modular system of claim 9, further including aproduction scheduler in communication with the controller and configuredto calculate a desired order of introduction of printed circuit boardsinto the modular system for processing.
 14. The modular system of claim13, wherein the calculation includes, as a factor, data derived fromsignals sent through the communications link from the printed circuitboard inspection system to the controller.
 15. A modular system formanufacturing printed circuit boards, the modular system comprising: aplurality of pieces of processing equipment including at least oneassembly material applicator, and at least one electronic componentplacement machine; a conveyor track configured to transport circuitboards from the at least one assembly material applicator and the atleast one electronic component placement machine; at least one of aproduction scheduler and a production database; and a controllerconfigured to communicate with the plurality of the pieces of processingequipment over a communications network, and further configured tocommunicate with the production scheduler and production database. 16.The system of claim 15, wherein the controller utilizes a pull-basedcontrol logic program configured to introduce circuit boards into atleast one of the plurality of pieces of equipment based on a queue ofcircuit boards at least one of the plurality of pieces of equipment 17.The system of claim 15, wherein the controller communicates with theplurality of the pieces of processing equipment using a communicationsprotocol other than SMEMA.
 18. The system of claim 15, further includingan inspection and test database.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein theinspection and test database is configured to receive data from at leastone of the plurality of pieces of processing equipment and to store saiddata.
 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller utilizes apush-based control logic program configured to introduce circuit boardsinto at least one of the plurality of pieces of equipment.